Assimilation and Americanisation in the Progressive Era: Price,Waterhouse & Company in the US,1890–1914

Abstract

This article studies assimilation and Americanisation in a British-owned accountancy firm in the American Progressive Era. Due to shortages of competent American accountants, assimilation was a major task for Price, Waterhouse & Company in the US (PWCUS) between 1890 and 1914. The process is analysed by prior qualifications and experience, social class origins, and career tenure and locations associable with PWCUS personnel. Americanisation was a response by PWCUS to anti-immigrant nativism during the Progressive Era. The process is analysed through recruitment of American accountants, acquisition of American professional qualifications and citizenship, and involvement in American professional associations. By 1914, although PWCUS had assimilated numerous immigrants with potentially useful attributes, it had achieved only partial Americanisation. At this point, the firm’s personnel consisted of an immigrant majority and an American minority. The British identity of PWCUS was accentuated by its use of British accountancy standards in American business engagements. PWCUS remained an American firm with a British persona because of its ownership, personnel and practices.